Tellurium dioxide

  Tellurium dioxide (TeO₂ or paratellurite) is a solid oxide of tellurium. It is used as an acousto-optic material. It forms tetragonal crystals.

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Tellurium dioxide is also a conditional glass former, which means it will form a glass with small molar % additions of a second compound such as an oxide or halide. TeO₂ glasses have high refractive indices and transmit into the mid-infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum, therefore they are of technological interest for optical waveguides. Tellurite glasses have also been shown to exhibit Raman gain up to 30 times that of silica, useful in optical fibre amplification.

Chemical properties

TeO₂ is the main product of burning tellurium in air. TeO₂ is highly insoluble in water and completely insoluble in concentrated sulfuric acid. It is also incompatible with strong acids and strong oxidizing agents. It is an amphoteric substance and therefore can act both as an acid or as a base depending on the solution it is in.

Safety information

TeO₂ is a possible teratogen. Harmful, and produces a garlic-like odour on the breath.

References

K. W. Bagnall, The Chemistry of Selenium, Tellurium and Polonium, pp 59-60, Elsevier, London, 1966.

• http://www.reade.com/Products/Oxides/tellurium_oxide.html 2005.